2018 Mclaren P1 – Designed to Be the Best Driver’s Car in the World 903bhp, 720Nm. 2018 Mclaren P1 (P1 OOU) – Drive, Interior and Exterior.
The McLaren P1™: Designed to be the best driver’s car in the world
– First shown as a design study in 2012 at the Paris International Motor Show
– Production car launched at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2013
– The first car in the McLaren Ultimate Series
– Aero-led design produces up to 600kg of downforce
– Maximum of 916PS (903bhp) generated by 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine coupled to an electric motor gives tremendous power and instant throttle response
– Electronically limited top speed of 350km/h (217mph)
– 0 to 300km/h in 16.5 seconds – a full 5.5 seconds quicker than the legendary McLaren F1
– Braking from 100km/h to zero takes just 30.2 metres
– Active ride height and aerodynamics work with large adjustable rear wing to give ground effect suction and optimised downforce
– IPAS (Instant Power Assist System) and DRS (Drag Reduction System) offer instant boost of power and straight-line speed
– MonoCage carbon fibre full-body structure weighs just 90kg and includes the roof and lower structures, roof snorkel, engine air intake cavity, battery and power electronics housing
– Bespoke tyres and braking system, developed in conjunction with technical partners Pirelli and Akebono, ensure optimised performance
– Production limited to 375 units
To live up to its design brief of being the best driver’s car in the world, the McLaren P1™ had to have exceptional straight-line performance and instant throttle response. To deliver this, it uses an innovative IPAS petrol-electric powertrain comprising a McLaren 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, coupled to a single electric motor. Collectively known as M838TQ, the combined power output is 916PS (903bhp). As important as absolute power is the electric motor’s ability to provide instant torque, making the powertrain superbly responsive. It is also amazingly efficient.
Maximum speed is electronically limited to 350km/h (217mph), with 0-100 km/h (62mph) standing start acceleration taking just 2.8 seconds. The McLaren P1™ will power from rest to 200km/h in 6.8 seconds, and on to 300km/h in 16.5 seconds – a full 5.5 seconds quicker than the McLaren F1.
The braking figures for the McLaren P1™ are equally as impressive, a bespoke Akebono system with specially formulated, carbon ceramic discs coated in silicon carbide able to bring the McLaren P1™ to a halt from 100km/h (62mph) in just 30.2 metres.
In addition, the McLaren P1™ also features adjustable ride height as part of its hydro-pneumatic suspension. The RaceActive Chassis Control (RCC) can lower the car by 50mm in Race mode, to produce ground effect aerodynamics. It also features adaptive spring rates, roll control, pitch control and damping, all providing a huge range of adjustment, making the McLaren P1™ perfect for either road or track. In Race mode, the spring rates stiffen by 300 per cent, allowing the McLaren P1™ to corner at more than 2g.
Formula 1-inspired technology permeates the McLaren P1™. The revolutionary carbon fibre MonoCage monocoque forms a complete structure that incorporates the vehicle’s roof and distinctive ‘snorkel’ air intake – a styling feature inspired by the McLaren F1 road car.
McLaren is an acknowledged world leader in carbon fibre technology. The material offers lightness, strength and rigidity – improving performance, safety, handling, agility, durability, efficiency and ride comfort. The body panels of the McLaren P1™ are made from lightweight yet strong carbon composite, with their complex shapes tuned for optimal aerodynamics.
Other areas of Formula 1 technology evident on the McLaren P1™ include the highly efficient IPAS (Instant Power Assist System) which is a development of the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) used on Formula 1 cars, while DRS (Drag Reduction System) is also used on the McLaren P1™, giving extra power and straight-line speed both at the touch of a button. The car is equipped with revolutionary layered carbon ceramic brakes developed for the road by Akebono, as well as Brake Steer – another outlawed Formula 1 technology that improves cornering behaviour and increases cornering speed.
The name of the McLaren P1™ is itself inspired by Formula 1, ‘P1’ referring to ‘first place’ or ‘position one’. There is also a heritage link: the McLaren F1 was initially known internally within McLaren as Project 1, or simply, P1.
The McLaren P1™ was designed to be driven to a racing circuit as a refined and comfortable high-speed supercar, before being used on the circuit to offer an experience matched only by purpose-built race cars. Those fortunate enough to secure ownership of a McLaren P1™ joined an exclusive club, McLaren having kept production to the 375 road cars that it announced when the car was launched.
The McLaren P1™ petrol engine produces 737PS (727bhp) at 7,300rpm, with torque of 720Nm from 4,000rpm.
